Title: Describe professional organizations and credentialing in the field of surgical technology.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Exploring the World of Surgical Technology

Description should include

- the responsibility of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) in administering national certification
- the role of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) in the surgical technologist certification process
- the importance of the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)’s Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential
- the role of Accreditation Review Council Surgical Technology/Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
- the importance of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in surgical technology education
- the responsibility of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in publishing the standards of recommended practice for operating-room procedures
- the difference between certification and licensure, and the importance of both in credentialing
- variations among states with regard to credentialing and credentialing bodies
- the influence of professional organizations and credentialing on the evolution of surgical technology as a profession
- the importance of professional development for surgical technologists.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What national organizations are designed to meet the needs of the surgical technologist? In what ways do they meet these needs?
- How have professional organizations played a role in the evolution of surgical technology as a profession?
- How is AORN's publication, Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, important for surgical technologists?
- What are the benefits of belonging to a professional organization?
- What credentials are required for surgical technologists in the Commonwealth of Virginia? What opportunities for professional development do employers typically provide?